First Lady Michelle Obama(left) with
Secretary of Agriculture, Tom Vilsack

November 19, 2009 - First Lady Michelle Obama, Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack, and Secretary of Education Arne Duncan joined students for lunch at two schools in the Washington, DC suburbs yesterday.  The visits further demonstrate the Obama Administration’s commitment to the federal school nutrition programs, particularly as Congress begins considering Child Nutrition Reauthorization.

The First Lady and Secretary Vilsack visited the Hollin Meadows Elementary School in Fairfax County, Va.  Both were on hand to recognize the school as a Healthier US School Challenge Gold Award winner.  Mrs. Obama and Secretary Vilsack participated in a roundtable with several school leaders, including Fairfax County School Nutrition Director Penny McConnell, RD, SNS.  They also spent some time with students, passing out fruit and visiting the school’s garden.  In speaking with the First Lady, McConnell commended the Obama administration for both their financial support and their emphasis on preventing childhood overweight and obesity.

Secretary of Education Arne Duncan

Donning a chef’s hat, Secretary of Education Arne Duncan joined the school nutrition professionals working the lunch line at John Adams Elementary School in Alexandria, Virginia.  Secretary Duncan, visiting the school for the National Education Association (NEA’s) Education Support Professional Day, served the first and second grade students as they moved through the lunch line.  Alexandria City School District School Nutrition Directory Dr. Becky Domokos-Bays had the opportunity to meet Secretary Duncan, where she discussed the cost of providing healthy school meals and the need for school districts to recognize the school nutrition programs as an integral part of the academic day.

Related Links

First Lady promoted exercize and nutrition during visit with Va. school children - Washington Post

Remarks by the First Lady at Hollin Meadow Elementary School

For additional photos from both events, please visit SNA's Facebook fan page.